Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T10:55:38.172Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The adhesive mechanism of the monogenean parasite Tetraonchus monenteron from the gills of the pike (Esox lucius)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

G. C. Kearn
G. C. Kearn
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

The monogenean parasite Tetraonchus monenteron attaches itself to the gills of the pike (Esoz lucius) by means of two pairs of large hooks (= hamuli). One pair of hooks is directed ventrally and the outer (flanking) pair is directed dorsally so that the hooks impale two adjacent secondary gill lamellage. Each lateral pair of hooks (one ventral and one dorsal hook) is operated by a single extrinsic muscle, the tendinous region of which is threaded through two fibrous loops (= Pulleys), one attached to each hook. Each tendon on entering the haptor also passes beneath transverse fibres joining the anterior ends of the two ventral hooks and these fibres probably act as a third pulley. This complex pulley system has a high mechanical advantage so that the energy used by the parasite to hold its hooks in position against the strong gill ventilating current of the host is minimal.

The mechanics of the adheasive apparatus of T. monenteron are compared with those of the monogenean gill parasite Amphibdelloides maccallumi, in, which the pulley system is less complex.

I would like to express my thanks to Mr G. W. Vane who kindly caught some pike for me, and to Dr P. C. Croghan and Mr S. A. Hodson for helpful discussion on the mechanical aspects of the adhesive apparatus.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 56 , Issue 3 , August 1966 , pp. 505 - 510
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1966

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Alarotu, H. (1944). Untersuchungen über die an Fischen in Finnland lebenden monogenetischen Trematoden. Acta zool. fenn. 43, 1–52.Google Scholar
Hughes, G. M. & Shelton, G. (1957). Pressure changes during the respiratory movements of teleostean fishes. Nature, Lond. 179, 255.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Llewellyn, J. (1956 a). The adhesive mechanisms of monogenetic trematodes: the attachment of Plectanocotyle gurnardi (v. Ben. & Hesse) to the gills of Trigla. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 35, 507–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Llewellyn, J. (1956 b). The host-specificity, micro-ecology, adhesive attitudes, and comparative morphology of some trematode gill parasites. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 35, 113–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Llewellyn, J. (1957). Host-specificity in monogenetic trematodes. In First Symposium on Host-Specificity among Parasites of Vertebrates, pp. 191–212. Neuchâtel.Google Scholar
Llewellyn, J. (1958). The adhesive mechanisms of monogenetic trematodes: the attachment of species of the Diclidophoridae to the gills of gadoid fishes. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 37, 67–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Llewellyn, J. (1960). Amphibdellid (monogenean) parasites of electric rays (Torpedinidae). J. Mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 39, 561–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Llewellyn, J. (1964). The effects of the host and its habits on the morphology and life-cycle of a monogenean parasite. In Parasitic Worms and Aquatic Conditions, pp. 147–52. Prague: Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences.Google Scholar
Paling, J. E. (1966). The attachment of the monogenean Diplectanum aequans (Wagener) Diesing to the gills of Morone labrax L. Parasitology 56, 493–503.CrossRefGoogle Scholar